Myrtle Beach & Pawleys Island, SC

Myrtle Beach and Pawleys Island, South Carolina are part of The Grand Strand, a 60-mile stretch of beach along the northern coast of the state. Myrtle Beach is located in Horry County and is the most populous city on The Strand, having its own commercial airport and limitless choices of shopping, restaurants, golf courses and entertainment. Pawleys Island, proudly referred to as "arrogantly shabby," is located 25 miles south of Myrtle Beach in Georgetown County. Just four miles long and a quarter-mile wide, this non-commercial resort community has less than 200 year-round residents. The combined features of these unique areas have established the region as a popular retirement or relocation destination.

More Myrtle Beach & Pawleys Island Information

Health Care

Grand Strand Regional Medical Center in Myrtle Beach is a 219-bed acute care facility providing services to the coastal counties of Horry and Georgetown. The facility has the only cardiac program in the area, is a designated trauma center, and offers an accredited cancer program. It also offers a diabetes self-management program recognized by the American Diabetes Association. Grand Strand also has seven off-site facilities, including the Carolina Forest Senior Health Center.

Georgetown Memorial Hospital, 15 miles south of Pawleys Island, is a 131-bed full service facility with a cardiac lab, endoscopy, surgical services, an Emergency Department, obstetrics, pediatrics and several medical-surgical nursing units. Its cancer treatment center is in conjunction with the well-known Hollings Cancer Center of the Medical University of South Carolina's (MUSC). Its other facility, Waccamaw Community Hospital in Murrells Inlet, South Carolina offers medical/surgical and acute inpatient rehabilitation. Waccamaw also maintains the HealthPoint Center for Health and Fitness in Pawleys Island.

Sports

South Carolina currently has no major-league professional sports teams. However, Myrtle Beach is home to minor league baseball's Pelicans (or, "The Birds," as locals call them). A Class A affiliate of the Texas Rangers, the Pelicans' home field is the 5,200-seat BB&T Coastal Field. Fans who attend some night games are treated to a free postgame fireworks show.

On the collegiate level, Coastal Carolina University teams compete in NCAA Division I as a member of the Big South Conference (the football team, however, is in the NCAA Football Championship Subdivision).

For NASCAR fans, Myrtle Beach Speedway hosts auto racing every Saturday night from late April through early September. The track bills itself as the place to see NASCAR's future stars, with alumni like Dale Earnhardt, Jr.

Shopping

Pawleys Island is known for its hammocks, of course, so a must-shop stop is The Hammock Shops Village and its 20 specialty shops and restaurants. But you'll find other specialty shops along the highway, ranging from golf equipment and apparel to clothing stores and surf shops.

The Myrtle Beach community is almost as well known for its shopping as it is for its beach and golf courses. Malls range from discount to designer-label. Large shopping areas include Coastal Grand Myrtle Beach, with over 100 shops and specialty stores. Other specialty shopping is found at Broadway on the Beach, which boasts a lakeside village atmosphere, nightclub district called Celebrity Square and more than 120 stores and restaurants. Two Tanger Factory Outlet Centers are also located in the area.

Myrtle Beach Mall has approximately 70 stores. Barefoot Landing in North Myrtle Beach features boardwalks over small ponds and 100-plus stores and restaurants. More upscale shopping is available at the 40 or so stores at The Market Common, on Deville Street in Myrtle Beach, the former site of Myrtle Beach Air Force Base.

The Myrtle Beach community offers a farmer's market called "Myrtle's Market" selling seasonal local produce. The market, on Mr. Joe White Avenue, is open on Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays. Myrtle Beach also has an organic farmer's market on 8th Avenue on Wednesdays and The Pawleys Island Farmers' Market sets up at Parkersville Park on Wednesdays.

Getting There

By Air: Myrtle Beach International Airport (MYR) is serviced by a number of carriers, the larger of which have non-stop service to and from about 20 regions, including Atlanta's Hartsfield International, New York's LaGuardia, Chicago's O'Hare, Washington-Dulles and others. Charleston International Airport (CHS) is about 2 hours south of Myrtle Beach. Wilmington International Airport (ILM) is about 1.5 hours north of Myrtle Beach. General aviation facilities include Myrtle Beach Aviation, the fixed based operator located at Myrtle Beach International Airport; Grand Strand Airport (CRE) in North Myrtle Beach; Conway-Horry County Airport (HYW), on U.S. Highway 378 about 15 minutes from Pawleys Island.

By Car: From the south, follow Interstate 95 north and take Exit 33 onto U.S. Highway 17 north, continue for about 57 miles, heeding signs leading the way. From the north, stay on Interstate 95 into North Carolina, then take Exit 46-46A in Fayetteville, North Carolina, get onto NC-87 South for about 20 miles, then look for signs directing you to Myrtle Beach.

Higher Education

There are a number of higher education institutions located in or near The Grand Strand. Coastal Carolina University in Conway is a liberal arts school offering baccalaureate degrees in 53 areas of study and seven master's degrees in business, education and marine science. In addition to its main campus, CCU offers courses in nearby Litchfield and the Myrtle Beach Education Center. Coastal Carolina is also part of the nationwide Osher LifeLong Learning Network, offering more than 300 day and evening courses for residents 55 and older.

Horry Georgetown Technical College in Conway is a two-year community/technical college with campuses in Georgetown and Myrtle Beach. It offers 70-plus associate degree, diploma and certificate programs of study, including accounting, culinary arts, cosmetology, dental hygiene, massage therapy, computer technology, natural resources and criminal justice. HGTC also offers courses and business degrees online.

Webster University, based in Webster Groves, Missouri, also has a campus in Myrtle Beach. Programs offered locally include master's degrees in arts for counseling, human resources development, information technology management, management and leadership, and master of business administration (MBA). It also offers hundreds of online degreed programs.

More specialized schools in Myrtle Beach are the Golf Academy of the Carolinas, Cathedral Bible College (a seminary), Strand College of Hair, and Fortune School of Real Estate.

Golf

With more than 200 golf courses, the names of which are too numerous to mention here, suffice to know that The Grand Strand region has more public golf courses per capita than any other place in the country, not to mention the private golf communities in the area. And, since the best course designers in the world have been employed here, there are a number of public courses that rank head to head with private courses. On Golf Magazine's 2010 list of "Top 100 Courses You Can Play" are three area public courses: Caledonia Golf and Fish Club on Pawleys Island; The Robert Trent Jones-designed Dunes Golf & Beach Club in Myrtle Beach; and Barefoot Resort/Love-designed course in North Myrtle Beach. Golf Digest's 2011-2012 list of "America's 100 Greatest Public Golf Courses" includes The Dunes Golf & Beach Club; Grande Dunes Resort Club; and Tidewater Golf Club & Plantation.

Arts & Entertainment

Plays, musical events, museums, history, and the cultural past and present come together along The Grand Strand. Notable highlights include:

In Pawleys Island, culture is at the root of the Gullah Museum and Gullah O'oman Shop, which affords a look at the Gullah people, who still inhabit the Lowcountry's coastal region. Gullah culture has its own language, cuisine and observances that are still practiced.

Brookgreen Gardens, a National Historic Landmark and the nation's first public sculpture garden, is located in Murrells Inlet a few miles north of Pawleys Island. Throughout its 300 acres, more than 1,200 works by an estimated 350 artists are featured. Brookgreen Gardens sits within a 9,100-acre wildlife preserve.

In the middle of Pawleys Island is its historic district, with 12 Pawleys Island homes that date from the late 1700's to the mid 1800's. Most are private residences, but can be viewed from the road. The Joseph Blythe Allston House (Pawley House) sits on land owned by R.F.W. Allston, South Carolina's governor from 1856 to 1858. The Ward House/Liberty Lodge is one of the island's oldest, and was moved to its current location in 1858. It stands on land once owned by area rice planter Joshua J. Ward, the state's lieutenant governor from 1850-1852.

Conway is home to two museums worth the visit: The Horry County Museum, which offers exhibits featuring everything from Native American history to the Waccamaw River, and Bryan House, with hour-long tours offered by The Horry County Historical Society.

Atlantic Stage, a professional theater company, in partnership with Coastal Carolina University, shares the stage at Coastal Carolina University Myrtle Beach Education Center. The company presents Broadway and off-Broadway productions and new plays from regional theaters across America.

Students at Carolina Improv Company in Myrtle Beach become part of the cast's regular shows at Uptown Theater, based at Myrtle Beach Mall, where the community can take in a live show, view an art exhibition or enjoy an art class.

Palace Theatre at Broadway on the Beach presents Broadway-caliber shows and concerts.

Alabama Theatre, a 2,200-seat theater at Barefoot Landing in North Myrtle Beach, was developed by Country music stars Alabama. Stage productions range from Vegas-style musicals to comedy and dance.

The Carolina Opry in Myrtle Beach offers two continuing shows – Carolina Opry and Good Vibrations – as well as a Christmas special.

Classical performances can be found at Wheelwright Auditorium and Edwards Black Box Theatre of Coastal Carolina University. Coastal Carolina also has visual arts on exhibit at the Rebecca Randall Bryan Art Gallery.

The Carolina Master Chorale, a 70-member volunteer chorus, performs at various venues throughout the Myrtle Beach area, as well as at free educational concerts for under-served students and outreach concerts in retirement communities.

The Long Bay Symphony performs at various venues, but mostly at Myrtle Beach High School Music & Arts Center.

The Myrtle Beach community may soon be welcoming a new performance venue - the city hopes to complete the Myrtle Beach Performing Arts Center in the near future. The $9.6 million project will have an 843-seat theater and a "black box" theater.

Events

In addition to a long list of special events, each month brings an annual event to the region. Some of the most popular festivities include:

The "Grand Strand Boat Show" is held each January at the Myrtle Beach Convention Center. Also in January, the Society of Stranders host a "Mid-Winter Fling," which brings shag dancers from across the nation.

In early February, visit the Myrtle Beach Stamp Show Flea Market and Exhibition or the Roundtable Art Group show that features music and the works of more than 24 artists.

Each March, the "Canadian-American Festival" marks the region's heritage with concerts, food and sporting events. And "Mardi Gras Myrtle Beach" brings a parade, Cajun food and entertainment to Coastal Federal Field and Broadway on the Beach. Also in March is "Taste of the Coast" at Barefoot Landing.

In April, more than 70 artists are part of the "Springtime in the Carolinas Art Show." April is also the start of the "Grand Strand Fishing Rodeo," which runs through October and is open to anyone.

Each May, the Myrtle Beach community hosts the month-long "MayFest." It starts with the Beach Music Festival and Ground Zero Dragon Boat Festival, continues with the BeachBlast Christian Music Festival, and on to The Shag Festival. MayFest also includes the Blue Crab Festival; the Coastal Uncorked Food, Wine & Spirits Festival; and Myrtle Beach's month-long Military Appreciation Days. Also in May is the "Fallen Angels Charity Golf Tournament," a two-day tourney at True Blue Golf Plantation, which benefits the Air Medical Memorial honoring the 350 EMS workers who lost their lives in the line of duty.

June hosts the annual "Sun Fun Festival," a three-day event in Grand Park at Market Common. June also ushers in "Summer on the Boardwalk" at the Myrtle Beach Boardwalk.

From mid-June through mid-August, Brookgreen Gardens hosts "Cool Summer Evenings," three nights weekly, offering live entertainment and cruises down the creeks.

July 4th celebrations are held at Coastal Federal Field in Myrtle Beach and at Cherry Grove Pier in Murrells Inlet, which also hosts a July 4th boat parade.

In August, the Myrtle Beach Convention Center fills with the works of more than 250 artists and artisans for the "Craftsmen's Classic Arts & Crafts Festival."

Each September, the "World's Largest Garage Sale" fills the Myrtle Beach Convention Center with almost 300 booths.

The Pawleys Island Festival of Music & Art, held from mid-September to early October, features two weeks of performances and a fundraising wine festival at Litchfield Plantation.

Also in September, the "Beach, Boogie and BBQ Fest" is held at Grand Park in Myrtle Beach.

The winter holiday season is celebrated throughout The Grand Strand, from the "Intracoastal Christmas Regatta" in Murrells Inlet to the "Dickens Christmas Show & Festival" at the Myrtle Beach Convention Center.

Attractions

Pawleys Island does not allow most commercial construction so family-oriented attractions are mostly found in the Myrtle Beach community - and the variety is dizzying!

Long-time favorite Family Kingdom actually consists of two venues, separated by Ocean Boulevard. On one side are more than 30 amusement rides including a wooden roller coaster, bumper cars and go-kart tracks. The oceanfront part is water-oriented with flumes, speed slides, splash pools and a 425-foot simulated river with waterfalls.

NASCAR Speed Park has 26 acres of go-kart tracks, family rides, mini-golf courses and midway games, and a family restaurant. Freestyle Music Park and Pavilion Nostalgia Park are two other amusement parks located here, as well as Ripley's Aquarium.

The Myrtle Beach Boardwalk offers SkyWheel Myrtle Beach, an 18-story ride with glassed-in, temperature-controlled gondolas, as well as a new restaurant, observation deck and gift shop.

The Myrtle Beach Safari Preservation Station, a 90-acre preserve, features a number of exotic animals, but the "stars" are some 60 big cats, including the Golden Tabby, the world's most rare tiger. The preserve is a fundraising vehicle for the worldwide nonprofit T.I.G.E.R.S group (The Institute of Greatly Endangered and Rare Species).

Housed within the Myrtle Beach Convention Center is the South Carolina Hall of Fame. There are special exhibits on each of the more than 60 inductees, all of whom must have been either natives of South Carolina or called the state home. Some of those included are President Andrew Jackson, author Elizabeth Coker, jazz legend Dizzy Gillespie, painter Jasper Johns, Gen. William C. Westmoreland, Sen. J. Strom Thurmond, educator and civil rights pioneer Mary McLeod Bethune and Astronaut Charles M. Duke, Jr.

Parks & Recreation

The 60-mile coastal stretch of The Grand Strand, along with the Intracoastal Waterway, provides an abundance of parks and recreational opportunities. Parasailing, scuba diving, kayaking, sailing and surfing are some of the most popular activities.

The 312-acre Myrtle Beach State Park includes a wide beach, fishing pier and oceanfront campgrounds. Its maritime forest has been declared a Heritage Trust Site, and includes a nature trail. It also has a Nature Center that offers visitors the chance to learn more about dolphins, sea turtles and the abundant bird and plant life that grace the verdant park.

Huntington Beach State Park in Murrells Inlet, between Myrtle Beach and Pawleys Island, is a haven for bird-watchers, since more than 300 species have been sighted in the park's 2,500 acres. And, in addition to its three miles of beach, there are boat ramps, a fishing pier, and hiking trails. The park's Coastal Exploration program offers "field trips" which allow visitors to join staff educators for alligator viewing, marsh and nature trail exploration and more. It is also home to Atalaya, the Moorish-style winter home of Anna Hyatt and Archer Huntington, who left the park and adjacent Brookgreen Gardens as their legacy.

About 30 miles south is the 259,000-acre Francis Marion National Forest - one of only two national forests in the state. Its boundaries are the Santee River to the north, and the Intracoastal Waterway and Atlantic Ocean to the east. The forest offers hiking, biking, motorcycle and canoe trails, rifle ranges and a boat launch. Four wilderness areas, one with a marked canoe trail, offer visitors a unique opportunity to glimpse the wild landscape as it might have appeared earlier in history.

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